With the recession taking its toll, it’s a good idea to save some money. But your health is still important, so ideally you don’t have to compromise fitness for budgeting.

If you want to go cheap, try running around the house.  Naked.  Also, my mom had a theory that gyms don’t work . She suggested that I consider sweeping the floor or cleaning the windows.  I considered it for a while, but not seeing any results, I’ve decided to stick to the gym plan.

I am currently on day 2 of my 21 day ‘Wong Body Transformation Program’. And today I decided to share some details of how I got this gym membership, tailored diet plan, and even a personal trainer available 24/7 for the next 21 days to whip my body into action….  all for just $100 (£68).

For one, I’m in Panama.  That means things in general are cheaper.  But before you start shouting at me for comparing the impossible, know that the average tourist here pays around $75 a month for a gym membership alone.

So how did I get my training program for under $100 / month, which includes a gym membership, a tailored 6 daily vomit-inducing meal plan, the occasional complimentary protein shake, and the pleasure of a meathead PT shouting at me in Espanol for 2 hours a day?

(1) Going basic, and pushing your comfort zone
(2) Going OFFLINE
(3) Negotiating (and knowing what you want)

1. Going Basic and pushing your comfort zone

The gym I just joined is not somewhere you want to bring your wife or kids. Think Gold Gym with no air conditioning, mostly free weights, and with most guys 3-4x my size (and I’m average weight for my height).

I must admit when I first stepped in, I felt uncomfortable. But I also realised that the shape most of these guys were in was also closer to where I wanted to be.

There were no fancy widescreen TVs, wireless internet, nor Pringle machines in the hallways (as a friend of mine spotted back home.  Surely is a crime).

I decided that I was there to work out, not to gawk at eye candy (having said that, the eye candy at Powerclub did make that decision a bit more difficult)

2. Going Offline

Looking around on major Panama forums, the 2 major gyms in Panama City are Sports Tek, the newest addition, and Powerclub (a chain, like David LLoyds and LA Fitness).

The average gym membership starts from around $50 a month, with a $40 mandatory joining fee.

As I’m only here for another 21 days, it works out as a pretty bad deal for jsut the gym alone.  A personal trainer would cost $15-$25 per hour in addition to that, which still works out cheaper than back home, but still….

So I decided to go offline.

My theory: Businesses that advertise online usually have money. They have money because they make good profit. They make a good profit usually because they have a recurring program designed by marketers that maximize their upline.

So by looking online, you miss out on smaller ‘family run’ traditional businesses that may not have the resources to hire a tech savvy team. 

I found this gym in the local yellow book, advertised simply as a 2 line regular ad in the phone directory.  Never to look at big catchy colourful ads, because that is also an indication of their ad budget (which obviously they have to make back).  

I am not interested in a place that’s owned by corporate people trying to grow the business to a gazillion chains.

3. Negotiating (and knowing what you want)

The initial price quoted to me was $30 a month for the gym itself and $15 per day for a trainer.

It’s alot cheaper than the major chains that want $20 / hr, plus no joining fee.

But at the rates given, it still worked out around $200 for the whole 21 days (give or take, as I don’t plan to be there every single day).

The question obviously is: how did I get it down to $100 for the whole 21 days?

By negotiating. And by knowing exactly what I want.

Firstly, I made sure I spoke to the boss (who subsequently decided to train me personally instead of his staff). I made it clear that my maximum budget was $120. I want to get the most I can for that money but I definitely want a trainer.

Second, I explained that I would only be in town for 21 days. That I plan to only work out 4 days a week, 1 hour a day, and in the mornings when it’s quiet. I also explained I had no need to call for personal advice, and will stick to whatever diet plan is given.

Finally, I had a conversation (in very broken spanish). I discovered that the trainer’s son was a graphics designer. It happened that I need someone to do some graphics for one of my websites. I didn’t promise anything but said I’ll have a look at his portfolio and see if I can get him some work.

In the end, he offered it to me for $100. Conditions? None! I still get to call him when I want, and go to the gym all day if I like (no thank you!).

Conclusion

This is by no means a comparison to what’s available in the US or UK.   Just remember to look around and remember to look offline. Know what you want, and ask if you really need all the ‘extras’ for the goal you are trying to achieve. And if possible, for smaller gyms, speak to the individual (ideally the owner). And once you’ve joined a gym, don’t try to go – stick to your plan!

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